A Chosen People

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Luke 1:30-33 NIV

Approximately 2000 years ago, the Lord chose Mary to bring His son into this world. Mary was found to be highly favored and chosen among women. What was so special about Mary? Mary had a willing spirit. The Lord used her to bring forth the gospel message, the message of hope to the dark and dying world. Through Mary, salvation came to earth. Grace arrived.

But this conception was different from other conceptions. Virgin Mary conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. She received Christ in the most literal sense. Through her obedience and willingness, the Lord permanently established the throne of David for Jesus Christ will reign forever. Mary, a young woman, witnessed the gospel message come forth and shared Him with those around her.

What Mary birthed still exists today. Jesus Christ is alive and seated on the right hand of the Father in the heavenly realms. As a believer, one who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, we’re to have a willing spirit. We’re to bring the gospel message to those whom God places in our path. We are chosen by God to spread the message of hope.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NIV

How are we to share the message of hope with those around us? By declaring His praises!

We can share with others the hope we have in Christ. What? Don’t know how to evangelize? Actually it’s quite easy. We don’t have to be preachers or scholarly Bible teachers. We just have to know Christ and share our experiences.

Wherever we go throughout the day, people are seeking for answers to their problems. People want to know there is hope. As a chosen one, we can share the hope wherever we go—shopping, work, ball games, laundry mat, etc.

Standing in line at Wal-Mart, one lady started sharing with me about her problem with her neighbor. After she finished, I simply said, “I can relate. I had something similar, but we reconciled.”

She asked, "How?" (Open opportunity.)

I replied, “As I read the Bible one day, the Scriptures said to bless and not curse. So I baked a fresh loaf of bread and took it to her. Then the Lord used her to help me, for at the time she called to thank me for the bread, my house caught on fire. She was there for me and our relationship reconciled.”

To bless and not curse seemed a bit overwhelming to this stranger in line, but she said she would think about it. But it was an opportunity to share how the Lord worked in my life. The gospel message, a message of hope shared and spread.

Today we still live in a dark and dying world. Mary had a willing spirit. Let us have a willing spirit to bring Jesus to those around us. As God’s chosen one’s, let’s declare His praises who brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light!

Engrafted by His Grace--